As with anything else, there are several inexpensive Tools and Rules associated with assessing the condition of a clay product. Here are the ones I've found most valuable; if you can add to the list please send email to ByronBush@RedWingNet.com and I'll add them!
Your Finger Nail |
Your finger nail is always the first line of defense against Flea Bites, chips, cracks, and other types of damage. Just run your nail around the rim and other surfaces of the item feeling for that little inconsistency. Here's the reason you were looking for to stop biting! |
Your Nose |
Your nose about the only way you'll be able to quickly determine if an item has been chemically treated; typically with bleach or peroxide. Take my word for it, don't buy any artware or dinnerware without first smelling it. If it wreaks of bleach, either ask for a BIG discount (chemical treatment constitutes REAL damage), or put it down and walk away! |
Your Finger for the "Thump" Test |
The "Thump" test is one of the best ways to find those elusive
hair line cracks or other breakage that extends into the body of the item!
When you thump a non-damaged piece of pottery you will hear a clear "Ring". On the other hand, thumping a piece with a hair line or normal crack will produce a dull resonance. |
Warm Water |
Believe it or not, soaking a piece of pottery in warm water for 5 to 15 minutes will highlight some defects that you will NEVER, EVER find otherwise. Water will soak through even the finest hairline crack and into the body of the clay beneath; the wet clay will create an un-mistakable shadow around the damage. |
"Greased Lighting" or "Goo Be Gone" |
These cleaners can be purchased at your neighborhood grocery store for $3-$4 and, when used with a soft cloth, can be used instead of water for cleaning a piece of pottery when looking for cracks and crazing. |
Magnifying Glass |
You must have one of these. Preferably one with a built-in light (around $6 from your local Radio Shack). Once you find that irregularity with your finger nail you can use the magnifying glass to more closely inspect the piece. A magnifying glass would certainly assist in determining if that problem is a glaze skip (making it a Factory Second) or a flea bite (making it actual damage). |
Jewelers Loop |
Although this gadget is more expensive than a magnifying glass it's quite a bit more compact and provides greater magnification. Pick one of these up at a jewelry supply shop for between $10 and $50. |
Black Light / Flashlight |
You may say, "I don't have any black light posters, what do need one of these
for?" A black light is one of only a few ways to detect a good repair job. When a black light is held close to a piece of un-repaired pottery it will show a very consistent, dull surface. When the light hits a repair you'll know something is definitely different as the repair will "Fluoresce", almost like a fire fly. Be warned, black lights do come in different flavors. I've examined the same repair with two, seemingly similar, black lights and found one to do a much better job of highlighting the problem. It's obviously a different frequency that separates a good from not-so-good black light but I can't tell you, specifically, the frequency that's best. You can also find black lights with a built in flashlight. This is a very good idea as it will help you to examine the inside of those tall, narrow items. You can find black lights at just about any poster shop in your favorite mall. I checked Radio Shack but couldn't even order one. |
X-Ray |
Yes, believe it or not, a medical X-Ray is about the only fool-proof means of
identifying damage and repairs to clay products. I saw an X-Ray of a crock for the first time at an Educational Seminar at the 1999, Red Wing Collectors Society Convention in Red Wing, MN. The demo was absolutely amazing as cracks in stoneware jumped out to grab you; even the best repair looked like a tumor growing in healthy flesh. I know, who's going to X-Ray a piece of pottery? Based on the REALLY BIG $ spent on pottery lately even $100 spent in your doctors office may be good insurance. |
Clean BEFORE you buy! |
Based on personal experience, you're most likely to find damage on a clay product if
you clean it before you examine it! A good bath will not only remove dirt that hides potential damage but it will almost always highlight those hard-to-find hairline cracks (see Warm Water in Tools). Even if you're buying over the web, have the seller wash the item prior to that "Second Look" and BEFORE you bid! |
Ask! |
No matter what, ask the seller if there's any damage on the item. Have them clean the item BEFORE they do the inspection and report back to you. |
Refer them to this page! |
Instead of repeating all the things you want them to look for refer them to this page, the Wing Tips Assessment Guidelines. The work has all been done and you're both working with the same terms and definitions. Please drop me a note at ByronBush@RedWingNet.com the first time you link to our pages. |